How did you choose your child’s name?

Picking a name for a child is a big responsibility. I’ve always wanted names that are quite unusual, but not totally crazy. Throughout school I was always one of two or three other Emma’s in each class, which was fine, but I hope the same cannot be said for my own children.

We knew what Z was to be called from the moment we found out I was pregnant. I just knew I was having a boy and from about 12 weeks we referred to him by his current name. We did discuss other names briefly, but he was always my little Z.

S was a bit different. We were watching the American TV series ‘Alias’ while I was pregnant so she is named after a character from that. I’m yet to come across another little girl with the same name. We did get a few funny looks at the time, but I think now people think it really suits her unique personality. Nothing winds me up more than people spelling it wrong though.

When we found out we were having Baby H ( our surprise baby ) a name was much harder to pick. We’d already used our favourite baby boy names and girls names, and just couldn’t decide. I’ve never believed that you have to see a baby to give it a name. I’ve loved knowing before seeing my children what they were to be called, just because I felt like I already knew them before they were born.

My husband wanted to call Baby H, Lorelai, from another Amercian TV series, but I thought that might be a bit too unusual in this country. Then I loved the name Rowan, but thought people might think she was a boy. When she was born she was Phoebe for a few hours but it must have been obvious we were not sure about it as I remember the midwife writing ‘baby girl’ on her notes instead of a name and saying she’d come back later!

What are your favourite baby names? and have you struggled to think of names for a third or fourth baby?

Comments

baby H is definitely not a Phoebe! I had a friend years ago that had a girl with the same name as S – if was very very unusual then – this was 20 years ago!
Hanna was named after a US tropical storm/Hurricane an is quite apt for her!
For the boys they have been the only 2 boys names we have been able to agree on …ever! x

I know where you’re coming from with being a fellow Emma! I had 4 in my class! We took a long time to decide on the names for our children. Unfortunately a few weeks after I had R, a character on Eastender’s appeared with the same name, and all and sundry called their children the same thing – sods Law! With S. I had always loved the name, and we picked a couple of others and decided we would choose definitely based upon what he looked like when he appeared. He was definitely an S! 🙂 PS. I have a female friend called Rowan too!

We’re on number four (2nd girl) and have had a struggle I thought girls names were easier but this time knew exactly what a boy would’ve been! Wanted a name that would fit in with her sister’s who is Matilda known as Tilly. Cute yet with a nice traditional name for when she’s older – we’ve settled on Felicity to be Fifi. x